[African-Americana] Phelps, Amos A. Printed Circular of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society

The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society Denounces Rumors of Disunity Among the Abolition Movement

Boston, September 18, 1837. Single sheet, 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm). One-page printed circular, signed in type by Amos A. Phelps, agent of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society (MASS), announcing the next quarterly meeting, dispelling rumors of disunity in the the abolition movement, and discussing Texas annexation. In part: "The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society is to hold its next Quarterly meeting on Wednesday...The place-Worcester-next to Boston, is perhaps the most important centre in the State. At such a point, it is important, if we do any thing, to do something effectual...Recent movements, in Boston and vicinity, have led our enemies and to some extent our friends, in this and other parts of the country, to suppose that there is a real and extensive division in the anti-slavery ranks...we believe there are no differences among the true friends of the slave which cannot be satisfactorily explained and mutually adjusted; and that so far from division, the anti-slavery ranks are still one...Finally-There is no longer any doubt that the South are resolved on annexing Texas to the Union...Equally plain is it, that if the people are roused to general and efficient resistance to the measure, abolitionists will have to rouse them..." Manuscript notation at bottom margin, "Start out all you can in the towns & parishes around you." Docketing on verso. Creasing from old folds; scattered stains.

Rare printed circular announcing a quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, and denying rumors of disunity between members of the abolition movement in the state.

Since its beginning the early 1830s, the New England Anti-Slavery Society (or Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society) underwent several reorganizations. When the American Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1833, the two groups joined forces, and the New England Society became a regional branch of the national organization, rebranding itself as the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society.

These reorganizations were mostly for jurisdictional or administrative reasons, but there was friction among high ranking members about the overall method of achieving the abolition of slavery, and who could be involved in it. William Lloyd Garrison, the progenitor of the anti-slavery movement in Massachusetts, was uncompromising in his belief of immediate and unconditional abolition. Dubbed "Garrisonianism", this philosophy was considered too radical by others members of the societies, who favored more conservative tactics or rhetoric. Other issues involved the role of African Americans as well as women in abolitionist groups. Some dissenters formed other organizations in 1839 and 1840, the Massachusetts Abolition Society and the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, respectively. Despite differences in opinion, the anti-slavery societies in Massachusetts still collaborated with each other, as well as with those in other states.

Amos A. Phelps (1805-1847) was an orthodox minister from Farmington, Connecticut. He began his abolitionist career as an agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society, and traveled around giving sermons or lectures on the topic of slavery. He later joined the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, and the Massachusetts Abolition Society.